Lancers Make their Mark at Wheaton Pre-Post Invitational

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State men's indoor track & field team delivered a powerful and well-rounded performance at the Wheaton Pre-Post Invitational, highlighted by event wins, multiple podium finishes, and a wave of personal bests. With contributions across sprints, distance, relays, and field events, the Lancers showed impressive depth and competitive fire.

The 60m dash featured strong depth, led by first years Sandro Merone (Weymouth, MA) in 14th at 7.24 and Jarrett Brown (Milford, MA) in 16th at 7.25. Junior Tyshawn Craigg (Springfield, MA) added a 7.36 effort, while both first year Taylor Feliciano (Milford, MA) and senior Alan Gomez (Clinton, MA) recorded personal bests.

The 200m was a standout event for Worcester State. First year Matteo Oliveri Kuhnle (Bedford, MA) sprinted to a first-place finish in a personal-best 24.10, leading a dominant Lancer showing. Close behind, sophomore Cole Berriault (Wareham, MA)placed third in a PR 24.18, first year Kendrick Adusei (Worcester, MA) took fourth in 24.22, and Feliciano added a fifth-place 24.30. Four Lancers in the top five underscored the team's explosive speed.

In the 400m, first year Dominique Billups (Pittsfield, MA) captured second place in 55.63, while Gomez followed with a fourth-place 56.71. The Lancers controlled the pace and showed strong mid-race composure.

The 800m pack delivered one of the day's strongest collective efforts. Junior Kelan Mahoney (Oakham, MA) led the charge with a fifth-place 2:03.79, followed closely by graduate student Alexander Lucier (Gardner, MA) (7th, 2:05.74) and first year Andrew Feinblatt (Framingham, MA) who claimed eight with a 2:07.89. First years Lincoln Schiller (Uxbridge, MA) and Ryan Wing (Barre, MA) added experience.

In the mile, first year Liam Dietz (Longmeadow, MA) posted a season-best 4:59.40, while senior Patrick Harvey (Holden, MA) added veteran leadership. The 3,000m saw fellow senior Alex Matsuyasu (Newton, MA) continue his steady season with a 10:29.63 effort.

In the 60m hurdles, Wing posted a personal-best 9.58 to place 10th, while Billups added an 11th-place finish.

The relay squads were electric. The 4x200m team of Adusei, sophomore James Almeida (Auburn, MA), Craigg, Gomez, sophomore CJ Harrell (Holland, MA), Patrick Harvey, and senior Nicholas Violette (Webster, MA)surged to a second-place finish in 1:33.68.

The 4x400m group of first year Youness Chahid (Revere, MA), Feinblatt, Lucier, Mahoney, and Schiller matched that momentum with another runner-up finish in 3:42.76 — a testament to the team's endurance and chemistry.

The field events added more podium moments for the Lancers.

In the long jump, senior Seth Boudreau (Douglas, MA) soared to second place with a 6.25m leap, while Almeida placed sixth (5.70m).

The triple jump saw senior Kelvin Paulino-Acosta (Sutton, MA) claim second on a 12.77m leap and Billups took third with a 11.70m, giving Worcester State two athletes on the podium.

In the high jump, Wing cleared a personal-best 1.77m to place fifth. The pole vault featured a fifth-place effort from Paulino-Acosta at  3.55m.

The throws crew showed strength and continued progression. Junior Garrett Papierski (Webster, MA) powered to fourth in the shot put with a personal-best 13.76m. Sophomore Gavin Delgado (Douglas, MA) and junior Kodie LeGrand (Tewksbury, MA) added solid marks, while sophomore Jake Krisiak (Groveland, MA) earned a personal record. In the weight throw, LeGrand delivered another personal record at 12.82m to place eighth, with junior Andrew Lucier (Gardner, MA) right behind in ninth.

Worcester State is back in action in two weeks at the New England DIII Indoor Championships.